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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2025-12-31 at 10:05
HEADLINES
Explosive Armored Vehicles Found In Gaza Rubble
Court Halts Probes Forms Inquiry Commission
Israel Suspends NGO Licenses Over Security Ties
The time is now 5:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
This is your hourly briefing. Israeli security authorities have raised alert levels at southern bases as tensions with Bedouin communities in the Negev persist after a weekend marked by police operations in Givot Bar and related incidents. The Camp Defense Array of the Operations Directorate carried out a situational assessment in the wake of those events, as security officials monitor the potential for renewed activity in the Tarabin corridor and surrounding communities. In nearby Lehavim, police reported arson at a gas station that officials described as a retaliatory gesture tied to ongoing security operations, a development that has prompted warnings of tougher measures and renewed calls for intelligence coordination.
On the Gaza front, reporting indicates that prior to the ceasefire the Israeli military widely used explosive-packed armored vehicles, a detail highlighted by Reuters as part of its field observations. Remains of at least one such vehicle were found among rubble in Gaza when reporters visited the area, underscoring the intensity of operations conducted before the pause in hostilities. The broader context remains that international actors have pressed for humanitarian access and a durable de-escalation, even as military and security measures continue to shape the day-to-day realities in southern Israel and neighboring areas.
Domestically, the political and oversight environment continues to unfold around the October 7 aftermath. The High Court has directed the State Comptroller to suspend probes into core subjects while lawmakers move to establish a formal commission of inquiry, delaying some lines of accountability as institutions reassess the balance between investigative oversight and ongoing security focus. The pause comes as Israeli leadership faces a range of inquiries about how the crisis was managed and what lessons can be drawn for future preparedness.
In the broader regional and strategic frame, Iran remains the focal point of attention as protests in Iran enter a fourth day and calls for national change intensify. Across the region, Prime Minister Netanyahu has urged Iran to choose between restraint and escalation, stressing that Israel will respond to any broadened threat with all options on the table. The United States has long emphasized security coordination with Israel and pressure on Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs, and the current diplomatic posture continues to stress de-escalation while preserving Israel’s security options.
Israel has announced steps to tighten governance and security in aid operations as part of an overarching effort to safeguard humanitarian work from being exploited by hostile actors. Beginning next year, the government intends to suspend licenses for international NGOs that fail to meet new security and transparency standards after reviews identified staff with ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad; affected groups will be required to wind down operations by March, with avenues to appeal. The move follows concerns about influence within aid networks and is paired with ongoing scrutiny of UNRWA’s operations and affiliations in the Palestinian territories.
Turning to internal social and health indicators, a major national survey released by Maccabi Healthcare Services highlights significant mental health needs among Israelis several years into the current period of conflict and national strain. More than a third of Israelis report needing professional mental health support, including notable shares among IDF personnel, and a substantial portion report sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms. The findings point to th
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